KEMBOY (145) lowered the colours of several Grand National hopefuls at Fairyhouse as he rolled back the years to register a first win since successful in the 2020 Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

Willie Mullins’ veteran chaser made all the running in the Grade 3 Bobbyjo Chase in the hands of Paul Townend, who dictated the perfect start-stop-start gallop which ensured his mount held just enough in reserve to fend off the late challenge of Aintree-bound Vanillier.

The champion jockey ensured the pace was quick enough early to gain control of the race, although a split screen view with the rated chase was evidence the pace then slowed as the races crossed the early fences on the final circuit simultaneously.

On the approach to the fourth last, the pace lifted again with Kemboy covering the ground from the subsequent fence in 76.6secs, which saw him home 3.0secs quicker than Ballykeel (118) who prevailed in the comparison race.

Given the injection of pace, Vanillier (145+) did well to finish so close, especially as a mistake at the fourth last fence set him on the back foot.

The eight-year-old will need to be more proficient at his obstacles if tackling Aintree, although judged on this finishing effort he will head to Merseyside in good form.

Above average

Willie Mullins and Paul Townend initiated a double in the opening race as hurdling debutante Zenta (126+) posted an above average time figure for a juvenile filly, despite crashing through both of the last two hurdles.

Along with Hypotenus (126), who was also making his hurdling debut, the pair pulled clear of their field, which reflected in the closing sectional and final circuit analysis as only handicap winner L’yser was able to rival the data posted by the J.P. McManus-owned French purchase.

L’yser (132) edged a tight finish with Cadatharla (132) as, in similar fashion to the juveniles, the winner and runner-up put distance between themselves and their rivals in the closing stages.

The relevant data saw Barry Connell’s handicap winner quicker from the fourth last as he stopped the clock at 63.5secs for his sectional, compared to the 63.6secs taken by Zenta who still held sway over the final lap, which she covered 1.0secs quicker.

Volantis (95+) and Happy Dreams (88) were 5.0secs and 7.9secs respectively slower than the opening race winner, with the slow early fractions on the circuit no doubt assisting their finishing sectionals.

However, the 63.3secs clocked by Ross O’Sullivan’s maiden hurdle winner was achieved comfortably and suggests the five-year-old is open to further improvement with racing.

Punchestown

The Quevega Mares Hurdle formed the centerpiece of the action at Punchestown on Wednesday week with Queens Brook (126+) going a place better than when second to Burning Victory last season.

A straight read of the race times over the extended two and a half miles depicts the mares’ contest to be slowly run, especially when compared with Connors Cross (126) who was 5.3secs quicker overall than his more illustrious counterpart.

A better reflection of the events in the graded event can be drawn from the final circuit analysis as Gordon Elliott’s mare covered 3.2secs quicker than the shock 66/1 maiden hurdle winner, with the respective circuits comprising of closing sectionals of 66.4secs and 71.5secs respectively.

The other performance of note at the Co. Kildare track was Nine Graces (113+) who was just 2.2secs slower on the final lap and stopped the clock at 69.1secs for her closing sectional.

Thurles

Gordon Elliott recorded a midweek pattern race double at Thurles on Thursday week as Sa Fureur (130) held the persistent challenge of Buddy One (130) to land the Grade 3 Michael Purcell Novice Hurdle.

As with the previous day at Punchestown, the time figure was short of expectation for a graded event while the final circuit and closing sectionals were quick when compared to the other races on the card.

The pace lifted further from home in the graded contest as the final circuit was at least 5.3secs the quickest on the day over hurdles.

Jordon Gainford conjured two good leaps from the Caldwell Construction-owned six-year-old in the straight to post a closing sectional of 81.0secs from the third last flight.

In comparison, Franciscan Rock (107+) covered the ground in 84.1secs and Port Rashid (103) in 85.6secs.

Given the closing sectional superiority of the graded event, Knockanard Lady (127+), who finished her race off strongly, is worthy of a tracker entry.